I decided a couple of months ago (after seeing lots of fabulous journalling from other bloggers) that I would start an art journal in 2012. How fantastic then that The Craft Barn have posted their first art journal challenge.
The theme is BUILDINGS, and after a lot of thought I decided to do a house using bright colours (not usually "me"!)
I bought myself an A5 journal (as I thought trying to fill an A4 page would be a bit daunting) but oh my, I really haven't a clue what I'm doing!
I'm a bit embarrassed to show you this page - 'cause I feel it's a bit naive and childlike (and nothing like what everyone else has done) - does it look like a 46 year old woman has done this! So I'm calling it a "foundation" page - I can really only build upwards from here ....
I used Derwent Inktense pencils to colour it in but maybe I should have used another medium as the texture of the paper has left it looking a bit light and patchy, I really wanted it to look more vibrant.
EDIT: Thanks to Isabelle's comment I did a bit of research and found the pencils I used are water based, so I went over them with a water brush which produced a much more vibrant colour ... not sure which I prefer ...
If I've time I might have another go!
Thanks for stopping by to visit (and I welcome any constructive criticism!)
Suze xx
20 comments:
I'm really glad you joined our challenge. And the most important is that you enjoyed making your page, I think it's fantastic.
Yes, A4 is a bit daunting, I can't do A4 either.
As for the "patchyness", try using paper stumps and Sansodor (http://www.thecraftbarn.co.uk/section.php/260/1/coloursoft-soft-pencils-and-sansodor). It will help blend your colours and make them look more vibrant. There is another way to do it, but it depends on the pencils you use and the paper too. Email me if you want to know more ;).
Thanks again for entering the challenge.
Isa (Izzy @ the Craft Barn)
A lovely first page, have fun! My journal is huge, A3 size! Valerie
Hello, I have never done an art journal before and I know exactly what you mean about A4. I reverted to an A5 piece of paper after realising I had no idea about how to fill the thing! I don't think you should be embarrassed about your page because it's really good. As a concept, it works well and I think the whole point of an AJ is that it doesn't have to be 'just so'. There's no way I would have done a card in the same way I've done my page, but I found there to be a certain freedom in that.
And home is definitely where the heart is!! Happy New Year!
Hi Suze, don't be embarrassed, you have done the most difficult thing and that is your first page and it doesn't have to be like everyone else, do your own thing! It is your art journal and it is part of you, the main thing is to enjoy it! It's a great page and I like both versions. I hope this is the first of many! Dianne.
P.S. I have some inktense pencils, though I haven't used them as much as I should but I bought some inktense blocks last year and they are very versatile, you can do so much with them. If you get a chance try them. Dianne.
Its lovely
Hi Suze, Happy New Year:0) I love your first page and I'm so glad you are sharing your Art Journal with us, I'm very new to this too so we'll learn together:0) Gay xxx
Hi Suze, both look great to me - pencils aren't my forte so I can't really offer any constructive criticism
Debz
xx
Love this quote and your page looks wonderful.
Such a sweet page, love it! Happy new year
Lindsay xx
What a sweet start to your journal Suze and that's just what I thought as I started reading the post about the pencils I always use a water brush and the colours blend beautifully :)
Von xx
I like them both a lot, it's just nice to see the difference in colors, so much more vibrant the second time!
And don't be embarassed, we've all started out with pages that are so different than the ones we make now!
It's not that what counts, it's how much you enjoy to create, no matter what it looks like!
Hi Suze, always wanted to give this a go but not brave enough yet. Love your first page. DOn't know if you use Pinterest but there's lots of art journalling inspiration on there.
All the best for 2012 x
An art journal doesn't have to be a particular style - just whatever your style is. I think you've made a great start - you've done your own drawings (which I wouldn't have the courage to do)and your doodles are fab. I know I need to let myself go more and not try to control things so much - art journals are by their very nature quite random and there are no mistakes. Well done for taking your own AJ path and not following the herd. I do prefer the vivid colours of the second pic because they add to the naive feel of the page.
You are brave for trying something new and out of your comfort zone, and the colours and style remind me very much of Victorian samplers, and I for one will be watching with interest as this art journalling is something that I am unfamiliar with, but well done you!! x
Mmm now what could a psychologist make of this?? Well I would say you are fun loving (bright colours), your home is very important to you (the house fills the frame), your a homemaker (the house is hand drawn), and you surround your home/life with craft (the frame). Hee Hee I'm not a psychologist only having fun. Super duper start Suze. x
awesome first aj page. love your drawing.
Great drawing, and what a neat contrast between the dry and water-washed one!
I love your vibrant page and like you I have made my first steps into AJ not sure if I'm comfortable with showing my work as I really cannot draw and always use rubber stamps.....I have doodled on my page and it seems stange to show it to blogworld. See you in the next challenge?
Maggie
I've just committed to starting an art/craft journal myself. I feel like I need a space to just muse, and create without feeling I need to have a "use" (scrapbook page, card, etc.) for the outcome. I found your blog by accident, searching for inspiration to back up my commitment, and I actually really LIKE your page. It's got a sort of from-the-heart vibrancy and honesty to it that's really attractive to me.
Hope to see more of your creations in future. :-)
Gill
Edinburgh
Post a Comment